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DAM-L LS: Top Official Meets Jeevanshala Children (fwd)
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Date: Fri, 24 Aug 2001 08:56:09 -0700 (PDT)
Message-ID: <200108241556.f7OFu9m14055@DaVinci.NetVista.net>
Subject: LS: Top Official Meets Jeevanshala Children
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NARMADA BACHAO ANDOLAN
B-13, Shivam Flats, Ellora Park, Baroda
Telefax: 0265-282232
Press Note - August 24, 2001
Top Official Meets Jeevanshala Children: Promises Prompt Response
Delhi Accorded Warm Welcome for Jeevan Yatra
A twelve member delegation of the children of Narmada Valley, who are on
Jeevan Yatra, met Mr.S.K.Sharif, Joint Secretary to the President, who was
deputed personally by the President (who couldn't meet the children as he
was indisposed) to hear the grievance of the Children of Narmada. They
talked with him for more than half-an-hour explaining their condition and
the compulsion to take to such a kind of action. Mr.Sharif gave a very
patient hearing to the delegation and promised them that he would bring
them a reply before they left Delhi.
The delegation included Seediya Pavra, Dursingh Vasave, Bayli, (Jeevanshala
students), Giridhar Pavra (Jeevanshala Guruji), Shobha Wagh, (NBA activist)
and supporters.
The children, affected by the Sardar Sarovar and Maan Dams in the Narmada
Valley, presented a handmade get-well card as well as a hand painted
tapestry and conveyed their wishes to the President, also prayed and sung
songs for his speedy recovery. The children presented 'the basket of life'
containing symbolic of all that the valley holds dear and may lose forever.
Separate memorandums with their grievances, representing SSP affected and
Man affected villages and Jeevanshalas (11 of them, run by NBA in the
tribal villages) were handed over to. In the memorandum, the children
declared their right to childhood and happiness and requested his timely
intervention to save their schools, their land and houses.... and their
future. They invited the President to visit the valley and see for himself
the truth.
Two more memorandums signed by people from all walks of life in Delhi
including Shri.V.P.Singh,
Shri.Surendra Mohan, Justice Sacchar, and others were also entrusted to the
Secretary.
Simultaneously, the rest of the children along with various people from
Delhi took out a huge human chain near Connaught Place area / Parliamentary
Street and demonstration at Janpath Market with street plays, songs, etc
at least about 2 hours.
Earlier on 21st, the Jeevan Yatra, with over 70 children of Narmada
Jeevanshalas (Life Schools) got a rousing welcome at the India Gate in New
Delhi. About 400 people belonging to all walks of life, including students
from different colleges in the city, children, intellectuals,
teachers/professors, activists, politicians, trade unionists, artists etc
were present. Among the dignitaries, Kuldip Nayyar (Member of Parliament),
Arundhati Roy, Swami Agnivesh, Justice (Retd) Rajendra Sacchar, Smt.Mohini
Giri, Smt.Arundhati Roy, Surendra Mohan, Smt. Kamla Bhasin, Praful Bidwai,
Shri.Schin Vinayak, Amarjeet Kaur (All India secretary - AITUC) spoke and
welcomed the children with small momentos (of books). They expressed their
solidarity to the struggle in the Narmada valley against the SSP and other
dams. Though physically not present, Shri.V.P.Singh, former Prime Minister
of India warmly welcomed and extended his solidarity and support to the
children.
Various organisations and groups like the NAPM, PUDR, PSU, AITUC, Ankur,
Jagori, Nirantar, Aksahar Abhiyan .....Jan Natya Manch were represented.
The programme ended with a play by Jan Natya manch exposing the fraud of
the present political state and society where on the one hand the
government is selling out the country to multinationals and on the other
hand talking of 'swadeshi'.
Jeevan Yatra left the banks of river Narmada on 16th August (from Kasarawad
near Baba Amte's residence), went through various cities and villages like
Indore, Bhopal, Shivpuri, Gwalior, etc conducting programs. Through street
plays, dances, songs, speeches, they appealed the people for support for
their struggle. They also interacted with the school children of various
places, sharing their woes and struggle. Jeevan Yatra will proceed through
towns and cities in Rajasthan like Jaipur, Deoli, Udaipur and meet various
project affected people and children especially those affected by Bisalpur
dam (Rajasthan), before returning to the valley.
Girdhar Guruji
Shobha Wagh
M.J.Vijayan
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